Mechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator

ABSTRACT

A mechanically automatically operated volumetric flow regulator for interior ventilation systems through which a medium flows has a housing that comprises a wall and forms part of a flow conduit. A flap valve is mounted in the interior of the housing on a shaft arranged transversely to the flow direction. The flap valve is swingable against between open and closed positions. In order to describe a volumetric flow regulator in which the flap valve position is identifiable even from outside the housing without disassembly, an indicating element, indirectly or directly connected to the flap valve and/or to the shaft and likewise moving in accordance with the movement of the flap valve, is to be provided inside and/or outside the housing, said element being arranged, for visual monitoring of the position of the flap valve, in a manner freely visible from outside the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is related to application number 14151551.0, filed Jan.17, 2014 with the European Patent Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mechanically automatically operatingvolumetric flow regulator, in particular for interior ventilationsystems through which a medium flows, having a housing that comprises awall and forms part of a flow conduit, having a flap valve mounted inthe interior of the housing pivotably on a shaft arranged transverselyto the flow direction, such that under the influence of the mediumflowing against the flap valve, the flap valve is swingable against areturn force out of an open position into a closed position, and upon adecrease in the volumetric flow of the flowing medium pivots back intothe open position as a result of the return force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The flap valve can be fastened nonrotatably on the shaft so that theshaft then rotates with respect to the housing. The shaft can be mountedwith respect to the housing at one end or both ends. Instead of onecontinuous shaft, stub shafts projecting laterally beyond the outercontour of the flap valve can also be respectively provided in twooppositely located regions of the flap valve. Alternatively, the shaftcan be arranged nonrotatably on the housing. In this case the flap valvethen rotates around the shaft. Only one end, or both ends, of the shaftcan be fastened on the housing. Instead of one continuous shaft, thehousing can comprise a respective inward-facing stub shaft in twooppositely located regions. In the context of mechanically automaticallyoperating volumetric flow regulators, the flap valve is swung against areturn force, under the influence of the medium flowing against the flapvalve, out of an open position into a closed position. If the pressuregradient in front of and behind the flap valve decreases, the flap valveis pivoted back into its open position by the return force. Volumetricflow regulators of this kind operate mechanically automatically, sincethe flow-related regulator flap torque is compensated for by the returnforce, which is usually generated by a spring. Known volumetric flowregulators are disadvantageous in that the position of the flap valve isnot visible from outside. It is therefore not possible to establish anenergy-optimized working point in every case, since large pressurelosses result, for example, if the flap valve has almost reached itsclosed position (which is not visible from outside).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to eliminate the aforesaid disadvantagesand to describe a volumetric flow regulator in which the flap valveposition can also be identified from outside the housing withoutdisassembly.

This object is achieved in that an indicating element, indirectly ordirectly connected to the flap valve and/or to the shaft and likewisemoving in accordance with the movement of the flap valve, is providedinside and/or outside the housing, said element being arranged, forvisual monitoring of the position of the flap valve, in a manner freelyvisible from outside the housing. Thanks to the configuration accordingto the present invention, the position of the flap valve can beidentified at any time from outside the housing. Because automaticallymechanically operating regulators usually have an externally accessiblesetpoint adjustment, the setpoint can be optimally adjusted whilesimultaneously observing the flap valve position. Energy-optimizedregulation of the working point is thereby possible.

At least one end of the shaft itself can be embodied as an indicatingelement. For example, the indicating element can represent a painted-onidentifier or a notch. Also conceivable is a line that is orientedparallel to the flap valve.

Alternatively, the indicating element can also be embodied as a separatecomponent.

In an exemplifying embodiment in which the indicating element isembodied as a separate component, the indicating element can be fastenedat an end of the shaft. This can involve, for example, a disk, placedonto the end of the shaft, that comprises a corresponding marking.

The indicating element can be arranged inside the housing, and thehousing, at least in the region of the indicating element moving inaccordance with the movement of the flap valve, can be made of atransparent material or can comprise an opening, in particular closedoff with a viewing window. The housing can, for example, have in theregion in question a transparent viewing window which is sufficientlylarge that in every position of the flap valve the indicating element isvisible and thus the flap valve position is identifiable. Alsoconceivable is an opening in the wall of the housing which enablesobservation of the aligned end of the shaft arranged in the interior ofthe housing.

The housing can comprise at least one opening as a mount for an end ofthe shaft.

It is useful if the end of the shaft projects externally out of theopening. With such a configuration, the indicating element can befastened on that end of the shaft which projects externally out of theopening. Alternatively, that end of the shaft which projects externallyout of the opening can itself be embodied as an indicating element.

At least a portion of a device for generating the return force, inparticular the entire device for generating the return force, can bearranged on the outer side of the housing. An example of a device forgenerating the return force is notable for the fact that the shaftcomprises a lever arm on which a spring engages articulatedly, such thatthe spring can be, for example, a leaf spring whose one end is connectedto the lever and whose other end is fastened onto a cam plate in such away that upon displacement of the cam plate around a rotation point, theleaf spring is entrained by the cam plate and rolls along the cam; andthat a device for securing the cam plate is provided. A connecting rodor a connecting cable can be provided for connecting the lever to theassociated end of the leaf spring.

At least a portion of a securing device for securing the device forgenerating the return force, in particular the entire securing devicefor securing the device for generating the return force, can be arrangedon the outer side of the housing. If the device for generating thereturn force comprises a cam plate for setpoint adjustment, the securingdevice can be embodied, for example, as a screw that, after loosening,enables a rotation of the cam plate.

It is useful if the housing comprises an external cover that covers,externally in the direction of the longitudinal dimension of the shaft,at least a sub-region of that portion of the securing device which isarranged outside the housing, and/or that covers, externally in thedirection of the longitudinal dimension of the shaft, at least asub-region of that portion of the device for generating the return forcewhich is arranged outside the housing, and/or that covers, externally inthe direction of the longitudinal dimension of the shaft, at least asub-region of that portion of the indicating element which is arrangedoutside the housing, such that the cover, at least in the region of theindicating element likewise moving in accordance with the movement ofthe flap valve, either is made of a transparent material or comprises anopening, in particular one closed off with a viewing window, or theindicating element is located outside the cover. In the case of anindicating element arranged outside the cover, the indicating elementcan be embodied, for example, as a disk or as a disk segment thatprojects, for example, laterally with respect to the cover and thusenables reading.

The cover can be made of a panel. Other materials are, of course, alsoconceivable. Configuring from a perforated panel, from a grid, from atransparent material, or the like is also possible.

The cover can comprise a preferably peripheral shoulder bent over in thedirection of the housing. The region concealed by the cover is then alsonot visible from the side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

An exemplifying embodiment of the invention, depicted in the drawings,is explained below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a volumetric flow regulator according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the subject matter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the subject matter of FIG. 1 viewed in or oppositely to theflow direction;

FIG. 4 is an oblique side view of the subject matter of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows the subject matter of FIG. 4, indicating the device forgenerating the return force arranged behind the cover, and the flapvalve arranged in the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Matching reference characters are used for identical or similarcomponents in all the Figures.

The Figures depict a mechanically automatically operating volumetricflow regulator of polygonal configuration. It comprises a housing 1comprising a wall and constituting part of a flow conduit. A flange 2 isshaped on at each of the two free ends of housing 1. The volumetric flowregulator is attachable by means of flanges 2 to air conduits (notdepicted). Other cross sections of the volumetric flow regulator arealso conceivable. For example, the volumetric flow regulator can beround, and can be connected to the air conduits (not depicted) by meansof suitable slide-on sleeves.

In the interior of housing 1, a flap valve 5 is pivotably mounted on ashaft 4 arranged transversely to flow direction 3. Flap valve 5 isfastened nonrotatably on shaft 4. Flap valve 5 is swingable under theinfluence of a medium flowing onto flap valve 5, against a return force,out of its open position as depicted e.g. in FIG. 3 into its closedposition. As the volumetric flow of the flowing medium decreases, flapvalve 5 is pivoted by the return force back into its open position.

In the exemplifying embodiment depicted, an opening 6, through which therespective end 7 of shaft 4 is guided outward, is provided in each oftwo oppositely located walls. Openings 6 serve in that regard as mountsfor shaft 4. Shaft 4 is sealed in the region of the two openings 6, byway of seals that are not depicted, with respect to housing 1.

As depicted in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, an indicating element 8 inthe form of a separately embodied component is placed externally ontoone of the two ends 7 of shaft 4. This indicating element 8 comprises amarking in the form of a line. The line is oriented parallel to theposition of flap valve 5. Indicating element 8 co-rotates as theposition of flap valve 5 changes.

As is evident from FIGS. 2 to 4, a cover 9 is provided on that side ofhousing 1 on which indicating element 8 is arranged. In the exemplifyingembodiment depicted, this cover 9 is made up of a planar element havingtwo oppositely located short sides 10 oriented orthogonally to flowdirection 3, and having two oppositely located long edges 11 orientedparallel to flow direction 3.

Each of the two short edges 10 contacts the respectively adjacent flange2, and can be fastened to said flange 2 in a manner not furtherillustrated. In the region of the two oppositely located long edges 11,cover 9 is bent over toward housing 1 forming a shoulder 19. The twobent-over shoulders 19 contact the wall of housing 1. The region coveredby cover 9 is thus embodied in laterally closed-off fashion on all foursides. Cover 9 can be, for example, slid, clipped, or bolted ontohousing 1 and/or onto flanges 2.

In the region of indicating element 8 that likewise moves in accordancewith the movement of flap valve 5, cover 9 is made of a transparentmaterial. Cover 9 can, for example, comprise a viewing window 12 in thisregion. Indicating element 8 is thus visible even though cover 9 isinstalled, so that the position of flap valve 5 is recognizable fromoutside housing 1, i.e. from outside through viewing window 12, evenwhen the volumetric flow regulator is in the installed state.

FIGS. 1 and 4 depict in further detail the device for generating thereturn force. Mounted on housing 1, swingably around a rotation point13, is a cam plate 14 that can be immobilized in different pivotpositions using a securing device (not depicted) for securing the devicefor generating the return force. A spring 16, which is embodied as aleaf spring, is fastened at the upper (in FIG. 4) end of a cam 15constituted by cam plate 14. The other end of spring 16 is connected bymeans of a connecting rod 17 to a perforated disk 18 that sits on pivotshaft 4 of flap valve 5.

FIG. 5 shows the relaxed spring 16. Upon pivoting, spring 16 rolls alongcam 15 of cam plate 14, in which context its end attached to connectingrod 15 experiences a deflection. If the properties of the volumetricflow regulator are to be modified, it is then sufficient to loosen camplate 14 and displace it into another position.

As is evident from the Figures, the device for generating the returnforce is located outside housing 1. The device for generating the returnforce is nevertheless arranged in protected fashion behind cover 9. Thesecuring device (not further depicted) for securing the device forgenerating the return force can of course also be arranged outsidehousing 1 in protected fashion behind cover 9.

As is evident from FIG. 1, rotation point 13 projects externally fromhousing 1 and also protrudes from cover 9. A hand lever, for example,can be provided on rotation point 13 in order to modify the position ofcam 15.

A drive system that interacts with rotation point 13 is of course alsoconceivable.

It is of course also possible, for example, for cover 9 to be embodiedto be open in the region of the two long edges 11, so that thecomponents located behind cover 9 in these regions are recognizable fromboth sides.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in construction orconfiguration of the present invention without departing from the scopeor spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention cover all modifications and variations of the invention,provided they come within the scope of the following claims and theirequivalents.

We claim:
 1. A mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator, in particular for interior ventilation systems through whicha medium flows, having a housing (1) that comprises a wall and formspart of a flow conduit, having a flap valve (5) mounted in the interiorof the housing (1) pivotably on a shaft (4) arranged transversely to theflow direction (3), such that under the influence of the medium flowingagainst the flap valve (5), the flap valve (5) is swingable against areturn force out of an open position into a closed position, and upon adecrease in the volumetric flow of the flowing medium pivots back intothe open position as a result of the return force, wherein an indicatingelement (8), indirectly or directly connected to the flap valve (5)and/or to the shaft (4) and likewise moving in accordance with themovement of the flap valve (5), is provided inside and/or outside thehousing (1), said element being arranged, for visual monitoring of theposition of the flap valve (5), in a manner freely visible from outsidethe housing (1).
 2. The mechanically automatically operating volumetricflow regulator according to the preceding claim, wherein at least oneend (7) of the shaft (4) is embodied as an indicating element (8). 3.The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the indicating element (8) is embodied asa separate component.
 4. The mechanically automatically operatingvolumetric flow regulator according to claim 3, wherein the indicatingelement (8) is fastened at an end (7) of the shaft (4).
 5. Themechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator accordingto claim 1, wherein the indicating element (8) is arranged inside thehousing (1); and the housing (1), at least in the region of theindicating element (8) moving in accordance with the movement of theflap valve (5), is made of a transparent material or comprises anopening, in particular closed off with a viewing window (12).
 6. Themechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator accordingto claim 1, wherein the housing (1) comprises at least one opening (6)as a mount for an end (7) of the shaft (4).
 7. The mechanicallyautomatically operating volumetric flow regulator according to claim 6,wherein the end (7) of the shaft (4) projects externally out of theopening (6).
 8. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a devicefor generating the return force, in particular the entire device forgenerating the return force, is arranged on the outer side of thehousing (1).
 9. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of a securingdevice for securing the device for generating the return force, inparticular the entire securing device for securing the device forgenerating the return force, is arranged on the outer side of thehousing (1).
 10. The mechanically automatically operating volumetricflow regulator according to claim 8, wherein the housing (1) comprisesan external cover (9) that covers, externally in the direction of thelongitudinal dimension of the shaft (4), at least a sub-region of thatportion of the securing device which is arranged outside the housing(1), and/or that covers, externally in the direction of the longitudinaldimension of the shaft (4), at least a sub-region of that portion of thedevice for generating the return force which is arranged outside thehousing (1), and/or that covers, externally in the direction of thelongitudinal dimension of the shaft (4), at least a sub-region of thatportion of the indicating element (8) which is arranged outside thehousing (1), such that the cover (9), at least in the region of theindicating element (8) likewise moving in accordance with the movementof the flap valve (5), either is made of a transparent material orcomprises an opening, in particular closed off with a viewing window(12), or the indicating element (8) is located outside the cover (9).11. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulatoraccording to claim 10, wherein the cover (9) is made of a panel.
 12. Themechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator accordingto claim 10, wherein the cover (9) comprises a preferably peripheralshoulder (19) bent over in the direction of the housing (1).
 13. Themechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator accordingto claim 2, wherein the indicating element (8) is embodied as a separatecomponent.
 14. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 2, wherein the indicating element (8) isarranged inside the housing (1); and the housing (1), at least in theregion of the indicating element (8) moving in accordance with themovement of the flap valve (5), is made of a transparent material orcomprises an opening, in particular closed off with a viewing window(12).
 15. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 3, wherein the indicating element (8) isarranged inside the housing (1); and the housing (1), at least in theregion of the indicating element (8) moving in accordance with themovement of the flap valve (5), is made of a transparent material orcomprises an opening, in particular closed off with a viewing window(12).
 16. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 4, wherein the indicating element (8) isarranged inside the housing (1); and the housing (1), at least in theregion of the indicating element (8) moving in accordance with themovement of the flap valve (5), is made of a transparent material orcomprises an opening, in particular closed off with a viewing window(12).
 17. The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flowregulator according to claim 2, wherein the housing (1) comprises atleast one opening (6) as a mount for an end (7) of the shaft (4). 18.The mechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulatoraccording to claim 3, wherein the housing (1) comprises at least oneopening (6) as a mount for an end (7) of the shaft (4).
 19. Themechanically automatically operating volumetric flow regulator accordingto claim 4, wherein the housing (1) comprises at least one opening (6)as a mount for an end (7) of the shaft (4).
 20. The mechanicallyautomatically operating volumetric flow regulator according to claim 5,wherein the housing (1) comprises at least one opening (6) as a mountfor an end (7) of the shaft (4).